Handbook on project cycle management of development projects

Abstract

The Handbook on Project Cycle Management for Development Projects is primarily intended for the one-semester course Project Cycle Management (PCM) at the Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague and PCM course organised at the Royal University of Agriculture in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, with financial support of the Czech Development Agency. The chapters thus correspond to the key lectures of this course. During the related interactive seminars, the students should work in small groups and prepare a Theory of Change of their own projects, a Concept note of project proposal and Evaluation design matrix for evaluation of the group project. Several brief exercises and tests are included in the Handbook as well. However, the Handbook can be also used as a textbook for any other PCM training course and practical guide for managers, experts, project implementers or evaluators of development projects. It is important to mention that the architecture of international development cooperation is a vibrant system which must adequately respond to evolving conditions and needs in developing and transition countries as well as to lessons learned by donors, governments, civil society organisations (CSOs) and all other development actors. Communication and exchange of experience among all stakeholders is thus the key precondition for effective use and for timely updating of guidelines and practices.